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Description: A calm oasis in a metropolitan city with a private park and garden and its own Renaissance style church on the property. Business class hotel with conference center equipped with large and medium size meeting halls. Built in neoclassical style architecture with echoes of the Renaissance.

Facility amenities: 24 hour desk operation; spacious and comfortable common areas; free high speed Wi-Fi in common areas, three full service restaurants. "Cornelia" metro stop about 400 yards from the hotel, makes an easy way to reach other areas of Rome.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.palazzocarpegna.com. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to make reservations through online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Check in time: 2:00 PM

Day Two: Wednesday, September 10 - Orientation and Welcome Reception

Note: Transfer to the Hotel Palazzo Carpegna, situated on a large plot with landscaped gardens in a suburban setting along the old Via Aurelia road. The neighborhood is served by many stores, restaurants, metro and bus stops with easy access to the heart of Rome.

Arrive To: Rome airport and clear customs, join others for transfer.

Morning: Transfer to hotel. Check-in time is afternoon. Your room might not be ready for occupancy if you arrive early morning, however, the staff at the reception desk will accept your luggage and place it in the deposit. After which you can explore the area around the hotel or relax in the quiet gardens.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Program overview and orientation, distribution of on-site materials including the detailed and most updated daily schedule. At the Welcome reception a chance to meet your fellow Road Scholars. A brief neighborhood walk to locate ATM's, banks, pharmacies, grocery stores, eateries.

Description: A calm oasis in a metropolitan city with a private park and garden and its own Renaissance style church on the property. Business class hotel with conference center equipped with large and medium size meeting halls. Built in neoclassical style architecture with echoes of the Renaissance.

Facility amenities: 24 hour desk operation; spacious and comfortable common areas; free high speed Wi-Fi in common areas, three full service restaurants. "Cornelia" metro stop about 400 yards from the hotel, makes an easy way to reach other areas of Rome.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.palazzocarpegna.com. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to make reservations through online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Check in time: 2:00 PM

Day Three: Thursday, September 11 - Welcome to Rome / Forum and Colosseum

Note: Steep steps to reach the top level of the Colosseum. An elevator for visitors is available. The walk around the Roman Forum is on uneven paths and original pavement of cobblestone.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Orientation session continues. A Classicist begins to unravel the multiple layers of Roman history with a lecture in the classroom.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Board coach for an expert-led visit to the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Forum was the civic and religious center dating back to the 8th century CE. The Flavian Amphitheater is the official name of the Colosseum. Coach to the hotel late afternoon.

Description: A calm oasis in a metropolitan city with a private park and garden and its own Renaissance style church on the property. Business class hotel with conference center equipped with large and medium size meeting halls. Built in neoclassical style architecture with echoes of the Renaissance.

Facility amenities: 24 hour desk operation; spacious and comfortable common areas; free high speed Wi-Fi in common areas, three full service restaurants. "Cornelia" metro stop about 400 yards from the hotel, makes an easy way to reach other areas of Rome.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.palazzocarpegna.com. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to make reservations through online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Note: At the Borghese Gallery, two flights of stairs to reach the upper level. All visitors must go through metal detector before entering St. Peter's Basilica. Extended standing while the expert illustrates the art and history of the enormous basilica.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Coach to the Borghese Gallery, the private pleasure and reception palace of Cardinal Scipio Borghese, an avid art collector and patron of the young Bernini. On display in the Gallery are important paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli and Titian and the emotionally charged sculptures by Bernini, a true evocation of the Baroque. Coach to the Vatican.

Lunch: At a local restaurant serving typical Roman dishes.

Afternoon: Short walk to St. Peter's Basilica where our expert expounds on the history of the site, the construction of "New St. Peter's" and focuses on some of the major works of art, including Michelangelo's Pieta'.

Description: A calm oasis in a metropolitan city with a private park and garden and its own Renaissance style church on the property. Business class hotel with conference center equipped with large and medium size meeting halls. Built in neoclassical style architecture with echoes of the Renaissance.

Facility amenities: 24 hour desk operation; spacious and comfortable common areas; free high speed Wi-Fi in common areas, three full service restaurants. "Cornelia" metro stop about 400 yards from the hotel, makes an easy way to reach other areas of Rome.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.palazzocarpegna.com. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to make reservations through online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Note: Crowd free walk to the Sistine Chapel along the museum corridors.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Coach to the Spanish Steps. Sites along the expert-led walk of discovery include the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Coach back to the hotel. Some free time before the evening visit of the Sistine Chapel.

Dinner: Dinner will be after the private visit of the Sistine Chapel at a restaurant close to the Vatican Museums.

Evening: Coach to the Vatican Museums for the highlight of the trip, an exclusive private visit to the Stanze of Raphael and the Sistine Chapel along the long corridors. On-site lecture by an art historian illuminates the masterpieces. Enjoy a crowd-free walk. The appointment is from 6-8, dinner follows.

Facility amenities: Marble floors and columns, comfortable lounge, American bar, free Wi-Fi for guests; request access code and password from the personnel at the reception desk, 24 hour desk, roof garden overlooking the Florence skyline offers spectacular views of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. There is a MiniSPA with Turkish bath, aromatherapy and a tea corner; exercise room with the latest equipment such as stationary bikes and treadmill machines.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Morning: Check out of the hotel. Your bags will be delivered by courier to the hotel in Florence. Coach to Piazza della Repubblica for an expert-led visit of the National Museum at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. The collection includes some masterpieces of Roman art including frescoes from the dining room walls from the Villa of Livia, wife of the Emperor August Caesar. Notable as well are the bronze pieces of the Seated Boxer and a Doryphoros (Spear Holder.)

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Travel by high speed train to Florence. Check into hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at a restaurant in the vicinity of the hotel.

Evening: Evening walk to orient you to the location of ATM's, pharmacies, stores and shops. Florence is much smaller than Rome and can easily be traversed in 30 minutes. On a walk, you will see the Duomo, the main cathedral and Palazzo Vecchio, the 13th C. city hall, still in use.

Facility amenities: Marble floors and columns, comfortable lounge, American bar, free Wi-Fi for guests; request access code and password from the personnel at the reception desk, 24 hour desk, roof garden overlooking the Florence skyline offers spectacular views of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. There is a MiniSPA with Turkish bath, aromatherapy and a tea corner; exercise room with the latest equipment such as stationary bikes and treadmill machines.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Facility amenities: Marble floors and columns, comfortable lounge, American bar, free Wi-Fi for guests; request access code and password from the personnel at the reception desk, 24 hour desk, roof garden overlooking the Florence skyline offers spectacular views of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. There is a MiniSPA with Turkish bath, aromatherapy and a tea corner; exercise room with the latest equipment such as stationary bikes and treadmill machines.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Eight: Tuesday, September 16 - Renaissance Art / Uffizi

Note: There is a long flight of stairs to reach the exhibition rooms of the gallery. A small service elevator for disabled visitors may be available.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Morning lecture on medieval and Renaissance art in preparation for the visit to the Uffizi Gallery. For the self guided visit of the Uffizi we will enter as a group, but you are free to spend as much time as you wish. The museum houses a most extensive collection of art, tracing the development from Gothic to medieval to Renaissance to Mannerist paintings in the world. You will find many recognizable masterpieces, including DaVinci's Annunciation, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and the Primavera, some Titians, Michelangelo's Holy Family, and a few Caravaggios as well as Artemisia Gentileschi. There is a coffee bar at the end of the second corridor, on top of the Loggia, with a wonderful view of the watch tower and Duomo where you can get a refreshment and rest.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Some free time to explore Florence at your own pace.

Dinner: Imagine having dinner at the palace of Pauline Borghese (you remember her sculpture by Canova in the Borghese Gallery.) In anticipation of her brother Napoleon Bonaparte's visit, she had her palace remodeled. Now as a conference and entertainment center, enjoy a nice Renaissance dinner complete with musicians and dancers.

Facility amenities: Marble floors and columns, comfortable lounge, American bar, free Wi-Fi for guests; request access code and password from the personnel at the reception desk, 24 hour desk, roof garden overlooking the Florence skyline offers spectacular views of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. There is a MiniSPA with Turkish bath, aromatherapy and a tea corner; exercise room with the latest equipment such as stationary bikes and treadmill machines.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Nine: Wednesday, September 17 - Bargello / Accademia

Note: Very short walk to the Bargello. One steep flight of stairs leads to the second floor gallery. Walk along narrow city sidewalks to the Accademia. Stairs to reach the second floor of the gallery.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: An art historian leads you through the Bargello museum and examines the development of sculpture from antiquity through the Renaissance with special emphasis on the works of Ghiberti, Donatello and Michelangelo. Notable works include Donatello's David and bronzes by Cellini and Giambologna.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Walk to the Accademia. Expert-led visit of the gallery (Michelangelo's David) and an onsite lecture by an art historian. Free time to explore the lively market area of San Lorenzo.

Description: Overlooking the Grand Canal, with a splendid terrace on the water, the Hotel Principe, is one of the 4 star hotels in Venice in a perfect position for discovering the charm and beauty of Venice on foot, or for easily reaching the Rialto or St. Mark's Square with a vaporetto, which stops just steps from the hotel.The hotel has a private dock on the Grand Canal for gondola and water taxi access.

Facility amenities: Restaurant and terrace overlook the Grand Canal, snack bar, complimentary internet point in the lobby and free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights after: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelprincipevenice.it. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to use online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Check out time: 10:00 AM

Day Ten: Thursday, September 18 - Transfer to Venice / Welcome to Venice

Note: High speed train to Venice, minimal walking around Venice on arrival day.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Train to Venice, short walk to the hotel. Your bags will be delivered by courier from the hotel in Florence to the hotel in Venice.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: A local historian presents Venice Through the Centuries from its origins as a scattering of islands to the Venetian Maritime Republic that dominated the Mediterranean until Napoleon invaded in 1797. Neighborhood walk will indicate the location of ATMs, pharmacies, stores and shops.

Description: Overlooking the Grand Canal, with a splendid terrace on the water, the Hotel Principe, is one of the 4 star hotels in Venice in a perfect position for discovering the charm and beauty of Venice on foot, or for easily reaching the Rialto or St. Mark's Square with a vaporetto, which stops just steps from the hotel.The hotel has a private dock on the Grand Canal for gondola and water taxi access.

Facility amenities: Restaurant and terrace overlook the Grand Canal, snack bar, complimentary internet point in the lobby and free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights after: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelprincipevenice.it. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to use online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Note: Enjoyable boat ride to Murano; minimal effort to walk around the small island. Leisurely boat ride to S. Mark's Square. The square is very often crowded. Walks in Venice involve crossing multiple bridges that span the minor canals.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Vaporetto to the island of Murano for a glassblowing demonstration by master artisans. Some free time to stroll the narrow streets along the canals.

Lunch: Lunch at a characteristic trattoria that features Venetian cuisine.

Afternoon: Travel to Piazza S. Marco on the vaporetto along Venice's famed Grand Canal. The expert leading the visit of S. Mark's Cathedral points out the architectural elements from the Byzantine style of the 13th century. The interior of the basilica is dazzling with more than 45,000 sq. ft. of mosaics on the walls and ceiling, giving the impression of streets of gold.

Description: Overlooking the Grand Canal, with a splendid terrace on the water, the Hotel Principe, is one of the 4 star hotels in Venice in a perfect position for discovering the charm and beauty of Venice on foot, or for easily reaching the Rialto or St. Mark's Square with a vaporetto, which stops just steps from the hotel.The hotel has a private dock on the Grand Canal for gondola and water taxi access.

Facility amenities: Restaurant and terrace overlook the Grand Canal, snack bar, complimentary internet point in the lobby and free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights after: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelprincipevenice.it. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to use online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Note: Walks in Venice involve crossing multiple bridges that span the minor canals. The visit through the many rooms of the Doge's Palace requires climbing a few flights of stairs. Narrow passages through the rooms of the Prisons and over the Bridge of Sighs. Assistance is offered getting on and off the gondola.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Vaporetto to the Rialto Bridge. Expert-led visit of the Frari Church to admire works by Bellini, Titian and Donatello. Walk through the Rialto district, the lively open air market.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Expert-led visit continues to the Ducal Palace, seat of civic and political power. Experience the city from a different point of view as you enjoy a gondola ride along the canals of Venice. Some free time before your independent dinner.

Description: Overlooking the Grand Canal, with a splendid terrace on the water, the Hotel Principe, is one of the 4 star hotels in Venice in a perfect position for discovering the charm and beauty of Venice on foot, or for easily reaching the Rialto or St. Mark's Square with a vaporetto, which stops just steps from the hotel.The hotel has a private dock on the Grand Canal for gondola and water taxi access.

Facility amenities: Restaurant and terrace overlook the Grand Canal, snack bar, complimentary internet point in the lobby and free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights after: varies by seasonYou can book additional nights directly through the hotel’s online reservation system www.hotelprincipevenice.it. Indicate to the hotel that you are with the Road Scholar group and every effort will be made to ensure continuity of room assignment. Another option is to use online hotel consolidators such as hotels.com or expedia.

Check out time: 10:00 AM

Day Thirteen: Sunday, September 21 - Accademia / Free Afternoon

Note: On all walks in Venice you will encounter ramps or steps on bridges that span minor canals. A flight of stairs from the entrance to the galleries; no elevator in the historic building.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Vaporetto to the Accademia for an on-site lecture; the paintings are grouped according to period and school. The museum contains a great collection of art by such notables as Veronese, Veneziano, Bellini, Tintoretto and Giorgione.

Lunch: Lunch on your own

Afternoon: Free Afternoon. Use your vaporetto pass or take a walk to explore quiet corners of Venice.

Note: Transfer to the airport by water taxi from the hotel dock. Your bags will be loaded onto and off the water taxi but where the taxi boat moors there are 3 steps from the dock to the road. Under a covered path, the walk to the terminal takes about 7 minutes. If you have trouble managing your luggage on the flat path you can use an airport cart (euro coin deposit).

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel; continental style for participants with early morning departures.

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!